Summer is traditionally a time for getting out, traveling and pursuing different activities. It’s also a time, traditionally, when the Vitalant (formerly LifeSource) Norridge Donor Center, at 5050 N. Cumberland Ave. in Norridge, and other blood centers in the area see a dropoff on people donating blood — and, concurrently, a drop in their supply.

“Every summer, it happens,” explained Eva Quinley, regional director of Vitalant. “This particular summer was really bad because we had a lot of traumas and surgical procedures that utilized a lot of blood. We had a particular shortage of O-positive and O-negative.”

Some blood centers, feeling the shortage, sent out an emergency appeal, pressing their case. The Norridge Vitalant Donor Center opted for a flier to remind community members “that the need is constant,” said Quinley. Every two seconds, someone needs blood, the flier’s lead message said.

“We had a response to that, but it wasn’t as great as we hoped for,” Quinley said. “I think people don’t realize the importance of regular blood donations. They may think donating once or twice, that that’s all that’s necessary. But we really need people to donate regularly.”

Q. By regular …

A. We need people who are willing to donate, not once a year, but maybe two or three times a year. We have 17 donation centers throughout the Chicago area, and we have eight to 10 mobile blood donor centers in the Chicago area. So there are a lot of places to donate.

Q. The donor stands to gain, too.

A. There’s a huge benefit every time you donate. You get a mini-physical. Donors get checked out for blood pressure, pulse rate and more. I’ve been in the business 44 years and have actually seen individuals who had health problems that they actually discovered because they came to donate blood.

One individual found out he had high triglyceride levels. He came back to report his doctor told him “he was like a walking time bomb,” Quinley said.

Q. And on the other end....

A. Individuals, when they donate, get to do something truly amazing — which is to save three lives. We collect whole blood from the donor. We process that into three components: red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Each of those components can help different patients. That’s why I say one donation can help three people.

To learn more, visit vitalant.org or LifeSource.org, or call 877-543-3768 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.